When a DOC file contains words with links to URL's, those words are blue and underlined in blue.

Now, suppose Writer Express opens such a DOC file, called FILE1.doc, and saves it as FILE2.rtf. If MS_Word opens FILE2.rtf, the reader cannot see those links. The words are no longer colored blue or underlined.

Interestingly, if TextEdit opens FILE2.rtf, or if WordPerfect (via a PC) opens it, all is well. Only MS Word fails to read the rtf file created by Nisus.

Unfortunately Word requires some private data be present to indicate that a link should appear blue and underlined. Other programs do not require this silly additional data. However, the link still exists in your document (you can click it to launch the link in your browser, etc), it is simply not highlighted.

You'll see that RTF files saved by TextEdit have the same problem when opened in Word.

We'll look at reverse engineering this private data so our links are properly displayed in Word, but I can't make any promises.